May 15 2003 A senior Victorian policeman has died attempting to climb the world's sixth highest mountain, Tibet's Cho Oyu, Victoria Police said today. Inspector Paul Carr, officer-in-charge of the Special Operations Group, was with a group of climbers, including three other police officers, who were training to climb Mt Everest next year.

Victoria Police said details surrounding the tragedy remained unclear, but it was believed Insp Carr, 42, became ill on the 8,201 metre mountain, on the Nepal-Tibet border, and died some time within the past 24 hours.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues at this time," Ms Nixon said in a statement. "He will be sadly missed and will always be remembered not only by his colleagues, but by senior members of the organisation."

Insp Carr joined Victoria Police in 1978 and worked for the Special Operations Group, Water Police and the Search and Rescue Squad.

The Mt Everest expedition, which he was in training for, will raise money for the "Make-A-Wish Foundation" which attempts to fulfil the dreams of seriously ill children.